Journal of an Opioid Addict: A Letter to Mom and Dad

Book two in the Conversations You Hear Series

Many people have addictions.  Some addictions are easily seen and noticed by others.  Other addictions are hidden for years, if not decades, and are not seen or noticed by others until the person with the addiction admits two things.

 First that an addiction exists.  And second, that it is nearly impossible to kill an addiction without the loving help of other people who are willing to do whatever it takes to help the addict bury the addiction and live without it.

 This is the story of a young woman who prefers to remain anonymous.  She does this for personal reasons.  She speaks from her heart and does not wish to be judged by you, the reader.

 The young woman has made a commitment to herself and also toward others who find themselves in this humbling place of hurting oneself and not really understanding why until you come out the other side of your addiction and take a long, hard look back.  Looking back is not a way to blame others for what happened to you as much as it is recognition of why you made the choices that you did.

 Many times a young person makes choices based on fear.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear of the known.  Fear of what you think you know.  Medical professionals trained in this area of study understand that fear is irrational.  A perceived danger or threat.  Frightening facts or evidence that appear real.

 A person’s response to fear varies.  One of these response variations is an addiction.  An addiction as described by a young person, untrained in the fields of medicine, psychology or psychiatry could be described as “something I do to keep my fear at bay”.

 A young person living in fear often will not be able to clearly state his or her feelings.  He or she simply knows that there is something that is bothering them on a regular basis that needs to be taken care of.  So they experiment.  They try things to make themselves feel better.  More secure.  Protected from danger.

 Once he or she finds what “works” for them, they use this behavior as a way to get free of their problem.  Notice the words “free” and “their problem”.  Yes, this is a very personal event for many young people.  It is their way of dealing with a problem that they have.  They know no other way of curtailing the situation.  So as long as the addiction works for them, they will continue the course of action.

 Fear comes in many shapes and forms.  This young woman’s fear came from growing up in what many would call a “normal family atmosphere”.  Only to some children, what is called normal by others is far from normal for her.

 As listeners, conversations have a way of awakening our senses.  When we listen to the conversations of others, we have been granted access into another person’s very personal view of a topic.  Be that view right or wrong, it is important to hear what the person has to say.  If we desire to lovingly help people, especially young people, then it is important that we listen to the “cry” of their heart.  Without judgment.  Without interruption.  Just listen.  Listening is the first step.